The difference between waist and kidney

Back pain, lumbar muscle fatigue...these are all words used to describe the waist and kidneys. But ordinary people in real life always confuse the waist and kidneys, thinking that a bad waist means weak kidney function. Similarly, the usual weakening of kidney function is also mistakenly attributed to low back pain, fatigue, and inability to do things. But what is the truth? What are the differences and similarities between the functions of the waist and kidneys? Are the two really that closely connected? Let’s take a look at the real difference and connection between the waist and kidneys!

Sometimes, I don’t feel it during the day, but often my waist hurts after a night’s sleep, and I can’t even sleep in because of it. After waking up, I have to get up and move around as soon as possible, otherwise my waist will be uncomfortable, and no matter how I lie down, it won’t feel right. Why is this so? Is it a serious kidney deficiency?

The inability to sleep in and the situation of lying in bed too long are generally caused by lumbar muscle strain. Because the posture is relatively fixed during the night of sleeping, some muscles are always tense and stretched, which is a challenge for the strained muscles, causing pain and discomfort. After getting up and moving around for a while, the muscles will alternate between tension and relaxation, and the symptoms will be relieved.

Another characteristic of people with lumbar muscle strain is that they cannot stand for a long time. When standing on the street waiting for a bus, they will constantly exert force alternately between their legs. For this reason, they frequently switch legs back and forth, otherwise they cannot stand and feel back pain. This is also a common symptom of lumbar muscle strain.

Secondly, kidney deficiency does not mean that there is a problem with the kidneys located in our waist. Kidney deficiency is just a description of the body's weak state in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This weakness can occur in any part of the body and any organ, not necessarily the kidney responsible for urination. Even if it is the kidney, if nephritis occurs, the first symptom may not be back pain, but edema, especially swelling of the eyes, because there is a problem with the kidneys, the protein eaten leaks out of the kidneys, and edema occurs due to low protein. Of course, if nephritis or pyelonephritis is not controlled, lower back pain will occur, but not all nephritis is caused by kidney deficiency.

Low back pain caused by kidney deficiency is usually accompanied by soreness, which is a common feeling in the elderly or those with premature aging. Typical symptoms are soreness in the waist and knees. This is often caused by kidney deficiency, but this soreness in the waist and knees may not occur in the morning. Instead, it is more likely to occur after more activity, because the body has become weak and cannot bear heavy loads. Therefore, low back pain caused by kidney deficiency will appear or worsen after fatigue.

The waist and kidney are a pair of causal relationships. If the kidneys are deficient, there will be pain in the waist and knees. Direct trauma to the waist, including cold, long-term sitting, long-term standing, and lumbar muscle strain can all affect the smoothness of the kidney meridians. If they are blocked, the kidneys will be weak. If the kidneys are weak, waist problems will be aggravated.

Lumbar pain indicates kidney deficiency. Lumbar pain caused by kidney deficiency is often manifested as persistent lumbago, constant soreness and weakness, a preference for massage, accompanied by weakness in the legs and knees, which is worse when working, and often recurs. If the kidney yang is partially deficient, it is accompanied by pale complexion, dry hands and feet, pale tongue, and deep and thin pulse; if the kidney yin is partially deficient, it is accompanied by restlessness and insomnia, dry mouth and throat, flushed complexion, hot hands and feet, red tongue, and thin and rapid pulse. Dietary conditioning can achieve good results for kidney deficiency and lumbago.

Low back pain caused by kidney disease can be divided into four main categories :

1. Kidney enlargement caused by renal parenchymal diseases is mainly seen in acute glomerulonephritis, rapidly progressive nephritis, etc. The enlarged kidney involves the renal capsule, which will cause persistent distension and dull pain. Some patients also have visible hematuria, edema, high blood pressure, etc., which can be detected by urine tests.

2. Kidney infectious diseases, often seen in renal abscess, acute pyelonephritis, etc. It is mainly caused by bacterial infection, mostly with unilateral low back pain, unbearable pressure and percussion examination, often accompanied by fever and chills. It can be diagnosed through routine blood and urine tests and B-ultrasound.

3. Kidney tumors or cysts, such as renal cysts, polycystic kidneys, benign and malignant tumors, etc. If the cyst or tumor is large enough and involves the renal capsule, it will cause persistent distension and dull pain, which can be confirmed by B-ultrasound or CT.

4. Kidney stones. If the stone is impacted in the ureter, renal colic will occur, which manifests as intermittent, paroxysmal severe colic, which may radiate to the perineum, accompanied by profuse sweating, nausea and vomiting, and in severe cases, gross hematuria. The diagnosis can be confirmed by B-ultrasound or abdominal X-ray.